News & Updates

County Executive McCoy Notifies Public of SNAP Benefits Coming Early This Month

Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 12:17 PM

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today announced that because of the ongoing partial federal government shutdown, most but not all recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive their February benefits this Thursday, January 17.

Residents who do receive SNAP early instead of their scheduled February date on top of the allotment already received for the month of January are being cautioned to budget accordingly as they will not receive additional allotments next month.

“As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, now the longest in American history, those of us in local government are on the front lines seeing firsthand the serious economic harm coming to everyday residents by this inaction,” said County Executive McCoy.

“If this gridlock continues much longer, SNAP benefits cannot be guaranteed, while more than 6,000 hardworking federal employees in the Capital Region, including those who guard our airports, go without pay and local small businesses don’t receive critical loans to grow and flourish. Going forward, I will continue to provide up-to-date information to the people as it affects their daily lives,” he continued.

If you completed your recertification for SNAP benefits in January and do not receive your February benefit on January 17, this does not necessarily mean that you will not get a February benefit. Instead, your February benefit should be available as scheduled on February 1.

No other changes to the SNAP program have been made at this time due to the federal government shutdown, though state and county officials have not yet been advised on benefits for the month of March. As all program requirements remain in place, please complete your recertification notice and application or a periodic report form if you receive one and return it to the Albany County Department of Social Services (DSS) so you may continue to receive SNAP allotments in the future.

Please contact the Albany County DSS at (518) 447-7300 if you have any further questions. Additional information on any changes to the SNAP Program can also be found at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website at http://otda.ny.gov/